University of Virginia Library

Scen. 2.

Enter Lesbia speaking to the Nurse within doores.
Lesb.
As yet Archillis I doe note in her
All vsuall matters, and good signes of health
First see her cleansd, and then deliuer her
That drinke, in measure as I gaue in charge:
Ile be here straight againe: as God shall helpe me,
She hath brought Pamphilus a goodly boy.
If it please God, may it liue to be a man:
Seeing the father is of disposition
So honest; and makes conscience to wrong
This good young woman.
Exit Lesbia.

Sim.
Who did euer know thee
That would not sweare, this thy contriuing now?

Dau.
Pray, what?

Sim.
She cannot in the house giue order,
For what is needfull to the childebed woman:
But comming forth a doores, proclaimes ith' street
Her minde to them within: what? what sir Dauus
Slight you me so? or deem'st me now at length
Such a fine easie propertie, thou maist
So plainly passe thy iugling tricks vpon me?
At least yet, it was circumspectly carried;
And shewd your awe, if 'twere discouer'd.

Dau.
Troth his owne cunning cheats him now; not I.

Sim.
Did I not forewarne thee? threaten further
If thou should'st dare attempt this? hast thou yet
Stood in feare of't? hath it in ought preuail'd?
Think'st thou I doe beleeue this woman here
Hath had a childe now by my Pamphilus?

Dau.
I now finde his mistaking, know my course.

Sim.
Why speak'st thou not?

Dau.
What talke you of your thinking?
As if y'had had no notice of the matter?

Sim.
I notice?

Dau.
Why good sir, tell me I pray
Found you of your selfe that this was counterfaited?

Sim.
I'm flouted.

Dau.
Come, come, it has bin told you:
How else a Gods name could you dreame of it?

Sim.
How? cause I well did know thy qualities.

Dau.
You thinke it then a thing of my direction.

Sim.
I, and I know tis.

Dau.
Truely sir I see
You throughly doe not know me.

Sim.
Not I, thee?

Dau.
But when I seeke to tell you any thing,
You streight suppose, I put some tricke vpon you.

Sim.
Tis false.

Dau.
So that I dare scarce speake to you.

Sim.
This one thing I am sure on; heer's no childe born.

Dau.
Are you so sure? yet sir notwithstanding
They streight will lay a childe before your doore.
I tell you on't aforehand, for your knowledge:
Least you should say hereafter, Dauus plots
And cunning manag'd all. I very faine
Would worke my selfe out of your iealousie.

Sim.
How knowst it?

Dau.
I haue heard so and beleeue it.

Sim.
They are many & those grounded circumstances,
Which my coniectures build on. Nere before
Named she her selfe with childe by Pamphilus;
And that is false, vnlesse my iudgement erre:
But seeing now a wedding is preparing,
A midwife streight is sent for, by the maid,
Who was to bring a young borne childe with her.

Dau.
Vnlesse you see a childe, the wedding still
Stands fairely.

Sim.
I but, sirra tell me this,
When thou hadst found they plotted this among them,
Why told you not it streight to Pamphilus?

Dau.
Pray, but my selfe then who hath drawn him from her?
We know how fondly he did dote vpon her:
Now he desires a wife to liue withall.
In fine, trust me with this whole businesse:
Yet pursue you, to make the marriage vp;
And I doe hope the Gods will further it.

Sim.
Nay, get you in; there see you stay my comming:
And haue such things as need in readinesse.
Exit Dauus
He hath not drawne me yet to giue full credit
To this he saies; nor to conclude all true.
But I regard it little: the maine thing
I rest on, is the promise of my Sonne.
Ile now goe speake with Chremes, and desire
He would bestow his daughter: that obtaind,
Why should I linger? and not now this day
Finish the match a foot? doubtlesse my Sonne
Will stand t'his word: if not, what hinders me
Enter Chremes.
But I may force him? and in good time see
Where Chremes is. Chremes good time of day.